So I was down at the LBS yesterday, after my ride had been cut short by rain.
I’m wandering around and I see this Serotta hanging for the ceiling with the rest of the frames. It immediately caught my eye :eek: , “dang, that looks like my size” I say to myself. I’m ogling it pretty good, hanging up there. It’s the most beautiful green I’ve ever seen with this fade to blue that is matched perfectly to the green with a blue fork. It was stunning to say the least. My hands started to sweat and I was getting all full of angst. I’m a Ti junky, with Steel being my second choice of material.
So I ask to see it, I’m holding it in my hands, Legend Ti. My sensory is on over load, eyes the size of half dollars, like I’m holding the friggin MonoLisa in my hands. Frames are art to me. (I’m ill, I know) It had these really cool dropouts I’ve never seen before. And the paint ended just before the dropouts so you could see the bare Ti. I’m salivating pretty big by now; the build is coming off in my head right before my eyes.
I’ve never been a huge Serotta fan, not that they don’t make awesome bikes, there just fairly common in my neck of the woods, and well, I like to ride something a little different. So I ask for a tape measure, No, could it be? 52.5cm effective TT. Perfect.
Now there’s a 3 or 4 second time span that lapses, Its stunning, it’s in my size, it’s ti, and its stunning. I must have it. :D
I pull out my wallet with one hand while I’m holding the frame with the other. My credit card is coming out and I’m taking this baby home! At this point, I don’t care what it cost, I’m not even thinking about it, I’m not thinking about ST angle, or HT angle, nothing, just the build and how beautiful it is. It’s mine.
Throughout this whole span of around 6 to 7 minutes I’ve never glanced at the drive side of the frame, I’m looking at the non drive side, the BB shell, the head tube, and those dropouts, ohh, plus that paint job.
I hand the guy behind the counter my credit card, I don’t care what it costs, it’s going home with me! I’m completely operating incoherently, on a spur of the moment impulse, I’m not rational. I’m like some guy in an art show/auction that bids crazy until he wins, irrational and out of control! In some sort of frame buying fog, I don’t even hear what’s going on around me. The guy looks at me and kinda smiles, “Oh, you can’t buy it” he says, “Huh” I say, all of a sudden some one has stuck a vacuum hose into my fogged brain and is quickly sucking out all the fog. “It’s for a customer” he says, and turns the frame around to show me the drive side of the top tube. There’s someone’s name painted into the top tube. It was like that split second when you know that your going to be in a car wreck, your brain can’t process it in time before you get creamed.
I feel like I’ve been hit with a brick, blindsided, betrayed. I went from euphoric, to crushed in a nanosecond. Devastated. My beautiful frame was someone else’s.
I was that close, to having a new Serotta Legend Ti.
I walked outta there in shambles. After about a half hour, I realized just how lucky I was.
In the real world I never would have foot the bill for a custom Serotta with that awesome paint job. And I frankly couldn’t really afford it, so Karma was on my side in the long run. The geometry was probably all wrong for me, and it’s not like I don’t already have a bike that I’m building plus one in the que, and another one about to go in the que.
I have rule, don’t bring the credit card to the LBS, but I had intentionally brought it to pick up something and had it with me.
The reality is: I dodged a bullet. Buying a Serotta would have compromised my short list of builders I am to obtain, Half of me sighs a relief, the other half mourns what could have been. 
So many beautiful bikes, too little money, too little time.

Having read that story, I actually feel sorry for you. I can't imagine having the floor pulled out from underneath me at the last second like that. The LBS should be ashamed of itself, leaving crack lying around on the table when there are so many junkies wandering in and out.

Only cure - time to order that Kishdesalvostrong. Doncha think?

Or maybe BUILD THE DAMN MOOTS AND GET IT OVER WITH?????

Didn't they offer to order one for you? I realize instant gratification is nice, but some things are worth waiting for.

Didn't they offer to order one for you? I realize instant gratification is nice, but some things are worth waiting for.

P&SV ain't waiting more than 10 minutes for anything that doesn't take 42 mm tires.

He has a sickness that boy, a sickness.

P&SV ain't waiting more than 10 minutes for anything that doesn't take 42 mm tires.

He has a sickness that boy, a sickness.

Yes, but you know very well tmb that his sickness comes from having friends like you and Terry. Personally, I am consider myself to have incredible will and not allow anything you or Terry write to affect my judgement. (Don't look at Terry's Moots with those lovely couplers, no don't look :( )

Yes, but you know very well tmb that his sickness comes from having friends like you and Terry. Personally, I am consider myself to have incredible will and not allow anything you or Terry write to affect my judgement. (Don't look at Terry's Moots with those lovely couplers, no don't look :( )


I'm innocent.

Point me to any bike I have bought in the last two months??!!

Having read that story, I actually feel sorry for you. I can't imagine having the floor pulled out from underneath me at the last second like that. The LBS should be ashamed of itself, leaving crack lying around on the table when there are so many junkies wandering in and out.

Only cure - time to order that Kishdesalvostrong. Doncha think?

Or maybe BUILD THE DAMN MOOTS AND GET IT OVER WITH?????
I still have yet to get my wheels from Ergott, waiting on parts TB, waiting on parts.

P&SV ain't waiting more than 10 minutes for anything that doesn't take 42 mm tires.

He has a sickness that boy, a sickness.
I wish someone would help me....I'm ill. :p

You'll be cured, at least temporarily, when Zank starts sending you photos of your lugs and tubes.

I still have yet to get my wheels from Ergott, waiting on parts TB, waiting on parts.

You don't have an extra set of wheels lying around that would at least allow you to get going?

Shame on you!

Was it the New Zealand Pearl color, I really like that. PS&V, you have just moved up a notch in my eyes, I bow before you--Serotta Ti as an impulse purchase, that would have moved you to god-like status, if you aren't already there!!!:thumbsup:

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Don't be swelling his head, he gets demigod status when we see the Moots pictures. Until then, he's stuck among the lesser demons. He can achieve god status when we see the Strongdesalvokishzanconato he's been blithering on about. And barring that, his next upgrade in the Panteon is two years out with the purported Vanilla.

Was it the New Zealand Pearl color, I really like that. PS&V, you have just moved up a notch in my eyes, I bow before you--Serotta Ti as an impulse purchase, that would have moved you to god-like status, if you aren't already there!!!:thumbsup:

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Know the name of that green Barry, but I'm tellin ya, iffin that frame didn't have somebody's name on it, I'd have bought it, and you'd be seeing pics. :p

Don't be swelling his head, he gets demigod status when we see the Moots pictures. Until then, he's stuck among the lesser demons. He can achieve god status when we see the Strongdesalvokishzanconato he's been blithering on about. And barring that, his next upgrade in the Panteon is two years out with the purported Vanilla.
Jeez TB,
Kinda harsh, I just suffered through somebody putting a crack pipe in my hand and then yanked it out just as I was about to partake. I'm still going through withdrawls....the horror..
As far as the "Strongdesalvokishzanconato" Already got a Strong, although a Ti Strong is on my "long" list. :p the DeSalvo has been bumped off cuz my A$$hole buddy and riding partner went and got one without telling me to surprise me, can you imagine? I can't have the same bike as him, so Mike D will have to be pushed out. Mr, Kish is on my short list along with Zank, Sacha, and Dave Kirk.
Zank's got a 6+ month wait, look for it after labor day, Sept 07. Vanilla Sept 08. The Psychlo was my 06 bike, although it's a little late. Jeez, I'm not you TB, 1 bike a year is pushing it for me....sheesh. I don't want no status fellas, I'm just a bike geek/junkie sharing his addiction with the rest of the cycloholics. Admittedly I'm one of the worst...:mad2:

Did you at least........

Remember the owners name and tell the LBS to let you know when he's ready to seel it?

C'mon man...it will be for sale in a couple a years...ya have to plan ahead.

Len

Go buy a $200 set of wheels, build the Moots in the meantime, take pictures of it and we'll all be happy.

Then you can show off the Zanc in 6 months and the Vanilla in 18.

If you were about to buy a Legend off the rack, you certainly can afford a cheap set of wheels.

Don't argue, just go do it. That Moots has enough dust in the tubes as it is.

Know the name of that green Barry, but I'm tellin ya, iffin that frame didn't have somebody's name on it, I'd have bought it, and you'd be seeing pics. :p

http://www.serotta.com/pages/colors.html

If I was going to do a custom bike, it would have some rich green in it. As someone said there arent enuf green bikes in the world. Man P&SV, I swear, if you don't get the Moots done soon, Terry is gonna come over there and make you do it. He's got a point tho. When I was going to AZ, I was really anxious on the ride out to the house. I realized it was what was awaiting. THe first thing I did was put the Moots together. Before I unpacked. Before I turned the water to the house on. Before I changed clothes. Just went right into the garage and assembled it. It was the right thing to do.

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I wish someone would help me....I'm ill. :p


Take up alpine and nordic skiing, that should get you through the winter months and suck a few $1,000s with all the gear for 2 new sports. We can call you Phat&SlowSlider.

http://www.serotta.com/pages/colors.html

If I was going to do a custom bike, it would have some rich green in it. As someone said there arent enuf green bikes in the world. Man P&SV, I swear, if you don't get the Moots done soon, Terry is gonna come over there and make you do it. He's got a point tho. When I was going to AZ, I was really anxious on the ride out to the house. I realized it was what was awaiting. THe first thing I did was put the Moots together. Before I unpacked. Before I turned the water to the house on. Before I changed clothes. Just went right into the garage and assembled it. It was the right thing to do.

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You guys crack me up. 
Your missing the point of the thread, sheesh. Haven’t you guys ever bought something on impulse that you couldn’t afford? With reckless abandon? Screw it, I’ll figure out how to pay for it later? Did you read the part about dogging the bullet? How lucky I was that it was someone else’s?
Terry is more upset about my Pyschlo than I am.
It’s like I toll ya, when I get the right parts, the ones I want, she’ll get built. I’ve already done as Terry suggested on some of my other bikes and threw them together, just to get them built. Now I am not happy with the builds, and want to do them over again. Thus wasting more money that I’m sure as cyclists, you guys have learned by now. Buy what you want the first time.  Not gonna go and buy another set of wheels just cuz I can’t wait for my Ergotts to get done. It’s not like I don’t have several other crossers to ride. Or, another Moots to ride for that matter. Part of the fun for me is the build itself, the project, the fun for me is the process, the shopping, working the build over in my head as I assemble pieces. Once it’s done it’s kinda anticlimactic. Then the bike is finished, there’s closure. What’s next? As long as it’s built before the next frame arrives, I’m good with that. Unfortunately the P-X wasn’t planned; it was as the thread describes an Impulse buy. Two weeks after I had sent in my deposit to Sacha. I cleaned out to get it. I’ve been assembling parts over the last 3 months. I’m in no hurry, and as long as it’s done before Cross season starts, I’m good.
In the last 3 years I’ve bought:
• Custom Dean Ti,
• Trek 9.8 carbon hardtail,
• Custom Steel Strong,
• Moots Compact SL,
• Custom IF Planet-X,
• and the Psychlo-X,
Crap, give me a break guys. I don’t have TB’s wallet. And I’m trying to stay married in the process. 

Take up alpine and nordic skiing, that should get you through the winter months and suck a few $1,000s with all the gear for 2 new sports. We can call you Phat&SlowSlider.
my bike habit is too expensive as it is. :p I just ride the crossers in the winter time.

I'm guessing this Serotta was at River City.

Crap, give me a break guys. I don’t have TB’s wallet.

I got a nice new wallet for my birthday - black leather trifold lined with lime green leather! How cool is that?

<snip>So many beautiful bikes, too little money, too little time.

This says it all. :D

my bike habit is too expensive as it is. :p I just ride the crossers in the winter time.

You gotta come visit me next winter.

We'll go XC skiing and a big tall blond son of a famous belgian will hand us both our a$$es.

He skis a ton and holy crap can he move.

I got a nice new wallet for my birthday - black leather trifold lined with lime green leather! How cool is that?
Seriously TB, you kill me. :lol:

You gotta come visit me next winter.

We'll go XC skiing and a big tall blond son of a famous belgian will hand us both our a$$es.

He skis a ton and holy crap can he move.
How is that any different from everybody "handing me my A$$ on the bike"? :p
Cool, you can teach me all about them there classics, I'll bring a Crosser and then you can take me all over hell and gone in the snow on your Curtlo. :D Love riding crossers in the snow I do. Well except for when me and the Strong went down in that 2 inch thick ice......that hurt. :(

How is that any different from everybody "handing me my A$$ on the bike"? :p
Cool, you can teach me all about them there classics, I'll bring a Crosser and then you can take me all over hell and gone in the snow on your Curtlo. :D Love riding crossers in the snow I do. Well except for when me and the Strong went down in that 2 inch thick ice......that hurt. :(

Well you can tell everyone you got it handed to you, but it took a famous pro bike rider to do it!!

Well you can tell everyone you got it handed to you, but it took a famous pro bike rider to do it!!
It don't take no pro bike rider to hand it to me. I get my a$$ handed to me all the time. :p
What time next winter do you want me to show up? and which bike do I bring? There's gotta be some great winter riding up in your neck of the woods...:cool:

You guys crack me up. 
Your missing the point of the thread, sheesh. Haven’t you guys ever bought something on impulse that you couldn’t afford? With reckless abandon? Screw it, I’ll figure out how to pay for it later? Did you read the part about dogging the bullet? How lucky I was that it was someone else’s?
Terry is more upset about my Pyschlo than I am.
It’s like I toll ya, when I get the right parts, the ones I want, she’ll get built. I’ve already done as Terry suggested on some of my other bikes and threw them together, just to get them built. Now I am not happy with the builds, and want to do them over again. Thus wasting more money that I’m sure as cyclists, you guys have learned by now. Buy what you want the first time.  Not gonna go and buy another set of wheels just cuz I can’t wait for my Ergotts to get done. It’s not like I don’t have several other crossers to ride. Or, another Moots to ride for that matter. Part of the fun for me is the build itself, the project, the fun for me is the process, the shopping, working the build over in my head as I assemble pieces. Once it’s done it’s kinda anticlimactic. Then the bike is finished, there’s closure. What’s next? As long as it’s built before the next frame arrives, I’m good with that. Unfortunately the P-X wasn’t planned; it was as the thread describes an Impulse buy. Two weeks after I had sent in my deposit to Sacha. I cleaned out to get it. I’ve been assembling parts over the last 3 months. I’m in no hurry, and as long as it’s done before Cross season starts, I’m good.
In the last 3 years I’ve bought:
• Custom Dean Ti,
• Trek 9.8 carbon hardtail,
• Custom Steel Strong,
• Moots Compact SL,
• Custom IF Planet-X,
• and the Psychlo-X,
Crap, give me a break guys. I don’t have TB’s wallet. And I’m trying to stay married in the process. 

Like ZenWrench or something. Or Luke BikeWalker. While we throwing whatever we have on the frame, you're sitting in the corner cross legged, "feeling the build":aureola: I love it!!!!
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Like ZenWrench or something. Or Luke BikeWalker. While we throwing whatever we have on the frame, you're sitting in the corner cross legged, "feeling the build":aureola: I love it!!!!
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:p :p :p .....................